Biopsy and Margin Analysis Results

Holly spoke to the surgeon yesterday and received a few more details and the results of the sentinel node biopsy.

The tumor was very large at just over 10cm. The surgeon said the margins (the rim of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor) were clear of cancer which is great news, but the bad news is it has spread to the lymph nodes. During her surgery five lymph nodes were removed to do pathology on, four out of five show cancer cells.

Because of this she will definitely be proceeding with chemotherapy as part of her treatment plan. The surgeon said she'll have a CT scan in three months after chemo has begun to see if there is cancer in any of the remaining lymph nodes. At that point a decision on whether additional surgery is needed to remove more lymph nodes can be made. If the chemotherapy was effective she'll probably proceed to radiation therapy without further surgery.

We will be seeing the oncologist on Thursday and should get a lot more detail regarding treatment.

Thanks again for all your love and support! It has been so helpful as we continue through this difficult time.